A Survey of Local Group Galaxies Currently Forming Stars: UBVRI Photometry of Stars in Seven Dwarfs and a Comparison with the Entire Sample
Abstract
Studies of the resolved stellar content of nearby galaxies provide the only direct way of determining the effect that metallicity (and other environmental factors) play in the formation and evolution of massive stars. Using the 4-m telescopes at Kitt Peak and Cerro Tololo, we have completed a UBVRI survey of stars in M31 and M33 (Massey et al 2006 AJ, 131, 2478) and the seven dwarfs, IC10, NGC 6822, WLM, Sextans B, Sextans A, Pegasus, and Phoenix (newly presented here). In all, we have obtained photometry of 606,547 stars (in B, V, and R, with many having U and/or I as well.) We expect that these data and images will serve as the "finding charts" for 8-m spectroscopic studies for decades to come. Here we provide comparisons of the CMDs of these galaxies with those of the Magellanic Clouds, and derive improved values of reddenings using the blue supergiants. Plus, of course, we include some incredibly pretty pictures.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006AAS...209.2701M